Artists in the Atlas

March 23 to April 3, 2015

Take your creative spirit on a journey into the heart of Morocco; a land of inspiration, exoticism, awe-inspiring scenery, unique culture and graciously hospitable people. For centuries it has been a muse for famed artists, writers, and designers such as Eugene Delacroix, Henri Matisse, Paul Bowles, William Burroughs and Jacques Majorelle. The heart of the trip will be in the Central High Atlas Mountains where you will discover a fascinating culture and understand the amazing challenges the Berber people face on a daily basis.

An inspiring adventure for creative spirits, and lovers of nature and foreign culture.

A 350 year old saint’s house in the village of Aguddim. Pastel by Ann Justin.

This trip is led by Plein Air artist Aaron Schuerr and Atlas Cultural Foundation vice president Ann Justin.

Trip OverviewTake your creative spirit on a journey into the heart of Morocco; a land of inspiration, exoticism, awe-inspiring scenery, unique culture and graciously hospitable people. For centuries it has been a muse for famed artists, writers, and designers such as Eugene Delacroix, Henri Matisse, Paul Bowles, William Burroughs and Jacques Majorelle. Few places in the world will overwhelm your senses with contrasts as intense as Morocco’s sharp white sun against towering golden limestone cliffs; expansive vistas of palm trees framed in snow-capped peaks; slow-cooked dishes bursting with the flavor of preserved lemons, green olives and cumin; robed and hooded nomads traversing the desert alongside masses of camels, sheep and goats; and narrow, winding medieval streets bustling with merchants, artisans, storytellers and snake charmers. Come with us and we will guide you far from the trodden tourist circuit, deep into the heart of Morocco. You will be immersed in an unforgettable and inspirational journey.

Cloe Medina Erickson, the president of the Atlas Cultural Foundation, will lead the trip. Erickson has spent the majority of the past decade in rural Morocco and speaks Arabic and Berber. You will be immersed in an intimate experience as a result of Erickson’s comfort in the culture and her extensive local contacts.

The trip starts and ends in historic Marrakesh, where you will not only visit the famous suqs (markets), and eat exquisite Moroccan cuisine, but will have the opportunity to paint landscapes framed by the snow capped Atlas Mountains. The heart of the trip will be in the Central High Atlas Mountains where you will discover a fascinating culture and understand the amazing challenges the Berber people face on a daily basis. Springtime highlights are snowy mountains framing blooming almond and apple trees; lush green valleys; and traditionally constructed mountain villages. You will also have the opportunity to spend a day doing an art workshop with the Atlas Cultural Foundation’s Elementary Tutoring Program in the remote region of Zawiya Ahansal. For those interested, the trip also includes an optional two-night excursion to the remote village of Taghia, accessible only by foot. You will meet the sheikh, tribal leader, of Zawiya Ahansal and take part in a goat slaughter and feast with traditional music.

What to ExpectZawiya Ahansal is a remote and mountainous region located between 5,000 and 12,000 feet in Morocco’s Central High Atlas Mountains. It is a high desert region with temperature extremes in spring and summer ranging between 32 and 110 F. Regional equivalents are the City of Rocks in Idaho and southern Utah. Participants should be prepared and comfortable with hiking in all weather, including rain, wind, and heat and should be physically fit and able to hike in mountainous terrain. In addition, all participants will need to be physically able to work and hike at 6000 feet above sea level for an extended time. Participants will be interacting with locals and therefore should be comfortable with and respectful of Muslim culture.

Highlights

Paint landscapes of the High Atlas Mountains framing the historic city of Marrakesh.